U.S. patent application number 12/709273 was filed with the patent office on 2011-08-25 for theft prevention device.
Invention is credited to Gary M. Fong.
Application Number | 20110203327 12/709273 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44475330 |
Filed Date | 2011-08-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110203327 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Fong; Gary M. |
August 25, 2011 |
THEFT PREVENTION DEVICE
Abstract
A theft prevention device includes a base having body with a
pair of side walls; a base protrusion protruding from an edge of
the body, the base protrusion having a base protrusion opening; and
a fastener opening configured to receive a fastener for coupling
the base to an external device; and a sleeve adapted to mate with
the base, the sleeve having a bottom wall; a pair of side walls
extending from the bottom wall; an end wall extending from the
bottom wall and between the side walls, the end wall having an end
wall slot adapted to receive the base protrusion; and a sleeve
protrusion protruding from an edge of the sleeve and having a
sleeve protrusion opening configured to be substantially aligned
with the base protrusion opening when the base protrusion is
inserted through the end wall slot.
Inventors: |
Fong; Gary M.; (Kelowna,
CA) |
Family ID: |
44475330 |
Appl. No.: |
12/709273 |
Filed: |
February 19, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
70/14 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E05B 67/383 20130101;
E05B 73/0082 20130101; Y10T 70/40 20150401; Y10T 70/5009 20150401;
Y10T 70/5867 20150401 |
Class at
Publication: |
70/14 |
International
Class: |
E05B 73/00 20060101
E05B073/00 |
Claims
1. A theft prevention device comprising: a base comprising: a body
having a pair of side walls; a base protrusion protruding from an
edge of the body, the base protrusion having a base protrusion
opening; and a fastener opening configured to receive a fastener
for coupling the base to an external device; and a sleeve adapted
to mate with the base, the sleeve comprising: a bottom wall; a pair
of side walls extending from the bottom wall; an end wall extending
from the bottom wall and between the side walls, the end wall
having an end wall slot adapted to receive the base protrusion; and
a sleeve protrusion protruding from an edge of the sleeve and
having a sleeve protrusion opening configured to be substantially
aligned with the base protrusion opening when the base protrusion
is inserted through the end wall slot.
2. The theft prevention device of claim 1, wherein a height of the
end wall of the sleeve is greater than a height of the side walls
of the sleeve.
3. The theft prevention device of claim 1, wherein the fastener
opening is substantially covered by the bottom wall when the base
is coupled to the sleeve.
4. The theft prevention device of claim 1, wherein each of the side
walls of one of the base and the sleeve has a rail protruding
therefrom and each of the side walls of the other of the base and
the sleeve has a groove configured to receive the rail to couple
the sleeve and the base together.
5. The theft prevention device of claim 1, further comprising a
fastener inserted through and protruding from the fastener
opening.
6. The theft prevention device of claim 5, wherein the fastener is
a screw.
7. The theft prevention device of claim 5, wherein a first surface
of the base is recessed such that the fastener inserted through the
fastener opening is flush with or recessed from the first
surface.
8. The theft prevention device of claim 7, wherein the fastener
protrudes from a second surface of the base opposite to the first
surface.
9. The theft prevention device of claim 8, wherein the second
surface is adapted to generally abut a corresponding surface on the
external device when the base is coupled to the external device and
wherein the second surface has ridges.
10. The theft prevention device of claim 5, wherein the fastener
has a threaded recess adapted to receive a second fastener.
11. The theft prevention device of claim 1, wherein the external
device is a camera.
12. The theft prevention device of claim 1, wherein the end wall is
configured to contact a corresponding wall of the external device
to substantially prevent rotation of the sleeve with respect to the
external device when the theft prevention device is coupled to the
external device.
13. The theft prevention device of claim 1, wherein the sleeve and
the base are prevented from being uncoupled from each other when a
lock is inserted through the aligned sleeve protrusion opening and
the base protrusion opening.
14. The theft prevention device of claim 1, wherein the theft
prevention device comprises metal or a polymer resin.
15. The theft prevention device of claim 1, wherein the base
protrusion further comprises a slotted opening, wherein the insert
protrusion further comprises a second base protrusion opening,
wherein the slotted opening is configured to be generally aligned
with the second base protrusion opening when the base is coupled to
the sleeve.
16. The theft prevention device of claim 15, wherein the slotted
opening has a length of between about 0.1 and about 0.5 inch and a
width of between about 0.05 and about 0.25 inch.
Description
FIELD
[0001] Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a
theft prevention device, and more specifically, to a theft
prevention device adapted to attach to a camera.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Cameras for taking photographs are relatively expensive and
desirable pieces of electronic equipment. Due to their relatively
small size, cameras can be stolen fairly easily if left unattended
for even a brief period of time, particularly at gatherings
attended by a large number of people, such as weddings, concerts or
sporting events. Additionally, while many cameras are quite small,
it is still not always convenient for an owner to carry the camera
around on his or her person. Rather, the owner may want to set the
camera down for a period of time, and yet a safe place to store the
camera may not always be available.
SUMMARY
[0003] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a
theft prevention device is provided including a base having a body
having a pair of side walls; a base protrusion protruding from an
edge of the body, the base protrusion having a base protrusion
opening; and a fastener opening configured to receive a fastener
for coupling the base to an external device; and a sleeve adapted
to mate with the base, the sleeve having a bottom wall; a pair of
side walls extending from the bottom wall; an end wall extending
from the bottom wall and between the side walls, the end wall
having an end wall slot adapted to receive the base protrusion; and
a sleeve protrusion protruding from an edge of the sleeve and
having a sleeve protrusion opening configured to be substantially
aligned with the base protrusion opening when the base protrusion
is inserted through the end wall slot.
[0004] In one embodiment, a height of the end wall of the sleeve is
greater than a height of the side walls of the sleeve and the
fastener opening is substantially covered by the bottom wall when
the base is coupled to the sleeve. Further, each of the side walls
of one of the base and the sleeve may have a rail protruding
therefrom and each of the side walls of the other of the base and
the sleeve has a groove configured to receive the rail to couple
the sleeve and the base together.
[0005] In one embodiment, the theft prevention device also includes
a fastener, such as a screw, inserted through and protruding from
the fastener opening. Further, the end wall may be configured to
contact a corresponding wall of the external device to
substantially prevent rotation of the sleeve with respect to the
external device when the theft prevention device is coupled to the
external device.
[0006] In another embodiment, the base protrusion further includes
a slotted opening, wherein the insert protrusion further comprises
a second base protrusion opening, wherein the slotted opening is
configured to be generally aligned with the second base protrusion
opening when the base is coupled to the sleeve.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is an orthogonal view of a theft prevention device
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0008] FIG. 2 is an orthogonal view of the theft prevention device
of FIG. 1 after the device has been assembled and locked.
[0009] FIG. 3 is a top view of the theft prevention device of FIG.
1.
[0010] FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of the theft prevention
device of FIG. 1.
[0011] FIG. 5 is a front sectional view of the theft prevention
device of FIG. 1.
[0012] FIG. 6 is a bottom view of a theft prevention device of FIG.
1 according to another embodiment of the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 7 is an orthogonal view of the theft prevention device
of FIG. 1 coupled to a camera and having a lock attached
thereto.
[0014] FIG. 8 is an orthogonal view of the theft prevention device
of another embodiment of the present invention coupled to a camera
and having a lock attached thereto.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0015] In general, a theft prevention device is provided and, in
one embodiment, is adapted to be coupled to a camera body, thereby
allowing a lock to be attached to the theft prevention device to
lock the camera to any appropriate structure. More specifically,
the theft prevention device is a sturdy, rigid structure that
provides an opening extending from the camera through which a lock
can be inserted and, when locked, cannot be easily removed from the
camera. The theft prevention device is relatively lightweight and
easily attachable and detachable from the camera under the
appropriate circumstances (i.e., when a lock is not coupled to the
device).
[0016] With reference now to FIGS. 1-3, one embodiment of a camera
theft prevention device 10 includes a sleeve 20 and a base 40
configured to be coupled to the sleeve, as described in more detail
below. When coupled together, the sleeve 20 and the base 40 form a
theft prevention device attachable to a camera and provide an
opening through which a lock can be inserted. Additionally, when
the theft prevention device 10 is secured by a lock, the theft
prevention device is difficult to be uncoupled from the camera or
from any other external device to which it may be attached. In an
exemplary embodiment, the sleeve 20 and the base 40 are made of
metal, a durable polymer resin material, or another suitable
material such that the theft prevention device 10 is not easily
fracturable or otherwise easily detachable from the camera when the
theft prevention device is locked. For example, the theft
prevention device may be made from acrylonitrile butadiene styrene
(ABS) or polycarbonate.
[0017] The sleeve 20 includes a bottom wall 22, a pair of side
walls 24 extending from respective side edges of the bottom wall,
and an end wall 26 extending from an end edge of the bottom wall.
As defined herein, "bottom" or "lower" refers to a direction or
orientation of the theft prevention device that is distal to a
camera body 12 when the theft prevention device is attached to the
camera and "upper" or "top" refers to a direction or orientation of
the theft prevention device that is proximal to a camera body when
the theft prevention device is attached to the camera (FIG. 7).
Such directions and orientations are also generally consistent with
the orientations of the theft prevention device as shown in the
figures.
[0018] As shown in FIG. 1, the bottom wall 22 provides a support
structure for the sleeve 20. In one embodiment, the bottom wall 22
includes a fastener cover portion 23 that includes a generally
central portion of the bottom wall and that extends over a fastener
60 coupling the theft prevention device 10 to a camera, as
described below. The fastener cover portion 23 prevents easy access
to the fastener 60 when the sleeve 20 and the base 40 are locked
together, thereby ensuring the security of the camera coupled to
the theft prevention device 10.
[0019] The bottom wall 22 may further include one or more openings
36 to minimize the weight of the sleeve 20 while allowing the
bottom wall to maintain a sufficient structural integrity to
adequately support the theft prevention device 10. In the
embodiment as shown in FIG. 1, the bottom wall 22 includes two
openings 36. As will be appreciated, the bottom wall 22 may be a
continuous surface and the openings are optional.
[0020] With continued reference to FIG. 1, the side walls 24 and
the end wall 26 generally form a rectangular C-shape extending
substantially perpendicularly from three edges of the bottom wall
and providing an open side through which the base 40 can slide to
engage the sleeve 20, as described below. Each of the pair of side
walls 24 includes a rail 28 protruding therefrom, the rail
configured to be coupled to a corresponding groove 42 on the base
40 to secure the base to the sleeve 20. In one embodiment, the rail
28 extends along substantially an entire length of the side wall
24, although it will be appreciated that the rail 28 could extend
along only a portion of the length of the side wall and also that
the rail may be segmented into a plurality of sections while still
sufficiently being able to couple the base 40 to the sleeve 20. In
another embodiment, the side walls 24 of the sleeve 20 may include
the grooves and the base 40 may include the rails for coupling the
sleeve to the base. Further, it will be appreciated that other
structures for coupling the sleeve 20 to the base 40 may be used,
such as latches, detents, a tongue and groove, and the like.
[0021] The end wall 26 is integral with and extends between the
pair of side walls 24. In one embodiment, a height of the end wall
26 is greater than a height of the side walls 24 such that the end
wall can extend along a surface of a camera to prevent rotation of
the sleeve 20 with respect to the camera, thereby preventing
uncoupling of the theft prevention device from the camera by
unthreading the fastener, as described below. Further, with respect
to FIG. 8, in an alternate embodiment, the end wall 126 may be
configured to at least partially, if not entirely, cover a display
screen commonly found on digital cameras to which the theft
prevention device is attached. It will be appreciated that the end
wall 126 could also be sized to cover the entire rear surface of
the camera 12, including the entire display screen and any buttons
on the rear surface to effectively prevent viewing of photos stored
on a memory card in the camera and further to prevent tampering of
the camera settings.
[0022] With reference again to FIG. 1, the end wall 26 includes an
end wall slot 30 configured to allow a base protrusion 44 to
protrude therethrough, as described below. The end wall slot 30 is
oriented on the end wall 26 such that when the base 40 is coupled
to the sleeve 20, the base protrusion can extend through the end
wall slot.
[0023] A sleeve protrusion 32 extends from the end wall 26 and, in
one embodiment, the sleeve protrusion is below the end wall slot
30. The sleeve protrusion 32 has a sleeve opening 34 configured to
be aligned with a base opening 46 and sized to receive a lock for
locking the theft prevention device 10, as described in more detail
below. The sleeve protrusion 32 is sized and structured
sufficiently to prevent it from being easily damaged or broken even
under extreme pressure, thereby allowing it to remain intact in
case of an attempt to break the protrusion and steal the camera to
which the theft prevention device 10 is attached.
[0024] With continued reference to FIG. 1, the base 40 is
configured to be coupled to the sleeve 20 and also to be coupled to
the camera 12 (FIG. 7). As shown in the figures, the base 40 has a
substantially rectangular shaped body 41 with each of the two side
edges having a groove 42 extending thereon, each groove configured
to mate with a corresponding rail 28 on the side wall 24 of the
sleeve 20. In one embodiment, the base 40 can be coupled to the
sleeve 20 by sliding the grooves 42 along the rails 28 of the
sleeve. With reference also now to FIGS. 2 and 5 showing the base
40 coupled to the sleeve 20, the base is sized to be substantially
flush with edges of the sleeve to form a rigid compact
structure.
[0025] The base protrusion 44 protrudes from an end edge of the
base 40, the end edge corresponding to the end wall 26 of the
sleeve when the base is coupled to the sleeve 20 such that the end
edge abuts the end wall 26 and the base protrusion protrudes
through the end wall slot 30. The base protrusion 44 has a base
opening 46 configured to be aligned with the sleeve opening 34 when
the base 40 is coupled to the sleeve 20 to receive a lock, as
described in more detail below.
[0026] The base 40 further includes a fastener opening 50 (see FIG.
4) configured to receive a fastener 60 for coupling the theft
prevention device 10 to a camera. In one embodiment, the fastener
60 is a screw adapted to be threaded to a tripod recess that is
often found on cameras to attach the camera to a tripod using a
similar kind of fastener. Since the tripod recess area is
reinforced to prevent uncoupling of a tripod and a camera, the
tripod recess is an adequate place for the attachment of the theft
prevention device 10. However, it will be understood that the theft
prevention device 10 could be outfitted with one of a variety of
types of fasteners that could be coupled to any appropriate place
on the camera. Additionally, a camera could be customized to
include a place to which a fastener could be attached.
[0027] With reference also to FIGS. 4 and 5, a bottom surface 47 of
the base 40 includes a bottom recess 52 configured to receive the
fastener 60. The bottom recess 52 has a depth sufficient to ensure
that the fastener 60 is flush with or recessed from the bottom
surface 47 such that the fastener does not interfere with coupling
the base 40 into the sleeve 20 and to allow the fastener to be
covered by the fastener cover portion 23 to prevent undesired
uncoupling of the fastener from the camera 12.
[0028] A top surface of the base 40 includes ridges 56 arranged in
a pattern around the fastener opening 50 and forming a plurality of
recesses 57. The ridges 56 and recesses 57 allow the theft
prevention device 10 to be securely attached to the camera when a
coupling force is applied by the fastener and provide resistance
against rotation of the device. In one embodiment, the ridges are
arranged to form a central recess 58 around the fastener opening
50. As will be appreciated, the ridges 56 are optional, and the top
surface may be merely roughened or may even be smooth without
departing from the spirit of the invention.
[0029] As noted above, the fastener 60 may be a screw having a body
62 configured to be inserted through the fastener opening 50 and a
head 64 configured to abut the surface of the central recess 58.
Once the fastener 60 has been inserted through the fastener opening
50, a fastener catch 66 may be inserted around threads of the body
62 to abut a surface of the base. The fastener catch 66 maintains
the fastener 60 within the fastener opening 50 even when the base
40 is oriented with the head 64 toward the ground and when the base
is not coupled to a camera, thus preventing the fastener from
disengaging from the base.
[0030] In one embodiment as shown in FIG. 6, the head 64 of the
fastener 60 includes a threaded recess 68 configured to receive an
additional fastener, thereby allowing a camera to which the base 40
has been coupled to be able to attach to another external device,
such as a tripod. In one embodiment, the additional fastener may
have substantially the same structure as the fastener 60. As will
be appreciated, to allow the additional fastener to be attached to
the fastener 60, the base 40 is used without the sleeve 20 because
otherwise the threaded recess 68 would be covered by the
sleeve.
[0031] With reference to FIG. 6, in one embodiment, the theft
prevention device may further include a second set of openings
adapted to receive another locking device. More specifically, the
insert protrusion 44 includes a relatively small circular opening
72 and the base protrusion includes a slotted opening 74 with a
metal backing 76 surrounding the slotted opening. In one
embodiment, a diameter of the circular opening 72 is between about
0.2 and about 1 inch and the slotted opening has a length of
between about 0.1 and about 0.5 inch and a width of between about
0.05 and about 0.25 inch.
[0032] When the insert 40 is coupled to the base 20, the slotted
opening 74 is generally aligned with the circular opening 72. A
cable, for example, a metal cable, having a t-bar at one end
thereof can be inserted through the circular opening 72 and through
the slotted opening 74 and locked to a structure to lock the insert
40 and the base 20 together and prevent theft of the camera to
which the cable is attached. For example, a KENSINGTON.RTM.
security slot may be incorporated into the theft prevention device
for use with a KENSINGTON.RTM. cable.
[0033] Operation and use of an embodiment of the present invention
will now be described with respect to the figures. To couple the
base 40 to a camera, the fastener 60 is inserted through the
fastener opening 50 and threaded into an appropriate place into the
camera, such as into the tripod recess. The base 40 is oriented
such that the end wall 26 and the base protrusion 54 extend past an
edge of the camera, thereby preventing rotation of the base 40 and
exposing the base opening 46.
[0034] Once the base 40 is coupled to the camera, the sleeve 20 can
then be coupled to the base by engaging each rail 28 of the sleeve
20 with the corresponding groove 42 of the base 40. The sleeve 20
is slid along the rails 28 until the sleeve opening 34 is
substantially aligned with the base opening 46, thereby providing
an opening through which a lock 70 can be inserted, as shown in
FIG. 7. A lock can then be inserted through the aligned sleeve and
base openings 34, 46 and can be used to lock the camera to another
object. Although a standard padlock is shown as an example in the
drawings, it will be appreciated that any lock having a portion
that fits through the sleeve and base openings 34, 46 can be used.
When the lock 70 inserted through both the aligned sleeve and base
openings 34, 46, access to the fastener 60 is substantially denied
by the fastener cover portion 23, and the base 40 is substantially
prevented from being moved relative to the sleeve 20, thereby
locking the theft prevention device 10 to the camera 12. It will be
appreciated that when the lock 70 is removed from the openings 34,
46, the sleeve 20 can be slid off the base 40 to expose the
fastener 60, thereby allowing the theft prevention device to be
uncoupled from the camera 12. Additionally, when the sleeve 20 is
not coupled to the base 40, the base can be coupled to another
device, such as a tripod, by inserting a second fastener into the
threaded recess 68 in the head 64 of the fastener 60.
[0035] While the present invention has been described in connection
with certain exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the
invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the
contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent
arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended
claims, and equivalents thereof.
* * * * *